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The Healf Source
The Science Behind The ‘Cortisol Face’
Written by: Pippa Thackeray
Written on: December 5, 2024
Recently, ‘Cortisol Face’ and ‘Cortisol’ are buzzwords dominating TikTok and subsequently seeping into the mainstream media. But are these theories medically sound? ‘Cortisol Face’ is not a term recognised officially by doctors, nor is it the overarching reason for all cases of face puffiness.
Yet, in the perfect storm of gaunt-looking supermodels, buccal fat removal and highly desirable sharp jawlines defining our beauty standards, it is easy to see how this trend has caught the attention of the public so drastically.
Let us investigate the roots and the truthful elements behind ‘Cortisol Face’, some reasons other than cortisol a ‘puffy face’ may occur, and, most importantly if having a ‘perfectly slim’ face really matters to your health.
Defining: 'cortisol face'
‘Cortisol Face’ as it stands, is a theory suggesting that elevated cortisol (that’s the body’s primary stress hormone), directly causes a swollen (A.K.A ‘puffy’) appearance to the face.
Cortisol does play an essential role in regulating our metabolism, our immune function, and other factors such as blood pressure. However, its connection to everyday stress-induced facial changes is possibly exaggerated in the “Cortisol Face’ trend. Most people dealing with routine stress won't experience cortisol levels anywhere high enough to trigger notably visible changes in their facial appearance.
‘Moon face’: a doctor’s description
So, the medical world doesn’t recognise the term ‘Cortisol Face’, but it does have another term for the condition cortisol face might describe: ‘Moon Face’.
A Cortisol ‘Moon Face’ symptoms include:
Swelling that makes the face look round and puffy
Puffy cheeks
Swelling under the eyes
A rounded jaw
If you were to have Moon Face, you might notice your face appearing puffier gradually over time. This occurs because the fat that your body naturally stores along the sides of your skull, increases and becomes more pronounced around the facial area.
Doctors might diagnose this upon noticing that the sides of the face have become so round that you can no longer see your ears when viewing the face front-on, however, this may not be so extreme in all cases. More typically, the effects are at first noticeable around the cheeks and chin, making the face appear more “apple-like”.
Is ‘cortisol face’ caused by everyday stress?
While "cortisol face" is not a legitimate diagnosis amongst the medical establishment, their answer to it (moon face), may be commonly associated with:
High cortisol levels from stress
Long-term use of corticosteroids
Registered Nutritionist, Natasha Evans explains the causes of Moon (A.K.A. Cortisol) Face:
“While chronic stress is known to keep cortisol levels elevated and potentially alter facial appearance over time, everyday stress is unlikely to cause the kind of dramatic facial structure changes often claimed. The idea that cortisol causes significant facial swelling is potentially being overblown in some cases, especially on public platforms like TikTok.
We do know that facial swelling can occur in conditions like Cushing's Syndrome, where the body produces too much cortisol, but this is a rare endocrine disorder, and not something most people with everyday stress are likely to experience. That said, chronic stress is becoming more common in our fast-paced modern lifestyles. Cortisol does encourage the body to retain water and can play a role in fat storage, so theoretically, there might be mechanisms for subtle facial changes even without Cushing's Syndrome.
For instance, stress often triggers cravings for sugar or carbs, which can lead to water retention. Poor sleep caused by stress might also play a role, as sleep deprivation can affect hormones like vasopressin, which regulate water balance in the body. Long-term use of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, is another factor worth mentioning. These medications, which mimic cortisol, are well-known to cause "moon face", a condition involving fat accumulation and swelling in the face, due to prolonged exposure. In fact, these treatments can sometimes lead to exogenous Cushing's Syndrome.”
What is cushing's syndrome?
Cushing’s syndrome, a rare medical condition with symptoms such as:
Fat deposits on the face (known as "moon face").
Weight gain concentrated in the torso.
Thinning extremities.
To sum it up, it’s important to note that these changes are not caused by the occasional cortisol spikes from everyday stress. They are linked to prolonged or extreme hormonal imbalances, often requiring professional medical intervention.
Does stress change the shape of your face?
For most people, facial shape and puffiness actually have very little to do with cortisol. A wide range of factors may contribute to changes in our appearance:
1: Genetics — Bone structure and the natural distribution of facial fat pads.
2: Significant lifestyle changes — Being sleep deprivation, hydration, alcohol consumption, and sudden weight fluctuations.
3: Medical Conditions — Inflammatory or hormonal issues, unrelated to cortisol.
TikTok vs Science
Ditching cortisol face
That said, if you are looking for safe, natural and non-invasive ways to slim down your face or reach and maintain a healthy body weight, focus on daily and weekly habits that support your health and your appearance. Remember to:
Put wellbeing first: Think of the four pillars EAT, MOVE, MIND, SLEEP, and do what you can do to put your health before the expectations of others.
Reduce stress: On a similar note, saying ‘no’ to things when needed can help reduce cortisol and further to that practising relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or regular exercise can help you to let go of any natural and inescapable stress you are holding onto.
Work with a professional: If your cortisol levels are still of particular concern for you, then please consult with a healthcare provider for guidance. There are also various forms of blood testing you can attain to get real-time data on your hormonal functioning.
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Healf
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Healf
Pippa is a content writer and qualified Nutritional Therapist (DipNT) creating research-based content with a passion for many areas of wellbeing, including hormonal health, mental health and digestive health.
As a contributor to The Healf Source, she regularly attends seminars and programmes on a plethora of contemporary health issues and modern research insights with a drive to never stop learning. In addition, interviewing experts and specialists across The Four Pillars: EAT, MOVE, MIND, SLEEP.
In her spare time, she is an avid swimmer, mindfulness and yoga lover, occasionally bringing a raw, honest approach to the topics she faces. You may also discover some personal accounts of eye-opening wellbeing experiences amidst the reality of a disorientating, and often conflicting, modern wellbeing space.
